4-hannel Oscilloscope 100 MHz bandwidth, 256 M/Sample buffer size.

8 bits, 12 bits, 14 bits, 15 bits and 16 bits resolution.

Built-in function generator.

High speed and high resolution. Breakthrough ADC technology switches from 8 to 16 bits in the same oscilloscope.

PicoScope: power, portability and versatilityPico Technology continues to push the limits of PC oscilloscope design. For the first time in an oscilloscope, Pico Technology have used reconfigurable ADCs to offer a choice of 8-bit to 16-bit resolutions in a single product.

The new PicoScope 5000 Series scopes have a significantly different architecture in which multiple high-resolution ADCs can be applied to the input channels in different time-interleaved and parallel combinations to boost either the sampling rate or the resolution.

In time-interleaved mode, the ADCs are interleaved to provide 1 GS/s at 8 bits (see diagram). Interleaving reduces the performance of the ADCs, but the resulting (60 dB SFDR) is still much better than oscilloscopes that interleave 8-bit ADCs. This mode can also provide 500 MS/s at 12 bits resolution.

In parallel mode, multiple ADCs are sampled in phase on each channel to increase the resolution and dynamic performance (see diagram). Sampling in parallel with multiple ADCs and combining the output reduces noise and also both the integral and differential nonlinearity.

Using parallel mode, resolution is increased to 14 bits at 125 MS/s per channel (>70 dB SFDR). If only two channels are required then resolution can be increased to 15 bits, and in single-channel mode all the ADCs are combined to give a 16 bit mode at 62.5 MS/s. The software gives the choice of selecting the resolution or leaving the scope in “auto resolution” mode where the optimum resolution is used for the chosen settings.

High signal integrityMost oscilloscopes are built down to a price; ours are built up to a specification.

We are proud of the dynamic performance of our products and publish these specifications in detail. The result is simple: when you probe a circuit, you can trust in the waveform you see on the screen.

PortabilityPico Technology oscilloscopes are small, light and portable. In 2-channel mode the 5000 Series scopes can be powered from USB only, making them ideal for the engineer on the move. The external power supply is only needed when operating more than 2 channels. The 5000 Series oscilloscopes are suitable for field use in many applications, such as design, research, test, education, service and repair.

High bandwidth, high sampling rateMost USB-powered oscilloscopes have real-time sampling rates of only 100 or 200 MS/s, but the PicoScope 5000 Series offers up to 1 GS/s, and a maximum bandwidth of 200 MHz. Equivalent time sampling (ETS) mode can be used to further boost the sampling rate to 10 GS/s for a more detailed view of repetitive signals.

Digital triggeringMost digital oscilloscopes sold today still use an analog trigger architecture based on comparators. This can cause time and amplitude errors that cannot always be calibrated out. The use of comparators often limits the trigger sensitivity at high bandwidths.

In 1991 we pioneered the use of fully digital triggering using the actual digitized data. This technique reduces trigger errors and allows our oscilloscopes to trigger on the smallest signals, even at the full bandwidth. Trigger levels and hysteresis can be set with high precision and resolution.

Digital triggering also reduces re-arm delay and this, combined with the segmented memory, allows the triggering and capture of events that happen in rapid sequence. At the fastest timebase you can use rapid triggering to collect 10,000 waveforms in under 20 milliseconds. Our mask limit testing function can then scan through these waveforms to highlight any failed waveforms for viewing in the waveform buffer.

Huge buffer memoryThe PicoScope 5000 Series offers memory depths up to 512 million samples, more than any other oscilloscope in this price range.

Other oscilloscopes have high maximum sampling rates, but without deep memory they cannot sustain these rates on long timebases. Using its 512 MS buffer, the PicoScope 5444B can sample at 1 GS/s all the way down to 50 ms/ div (500 ms total capture time).

Managing all this data calls for some powerful tools. There’s a set of zoom buttons, plus an overview window that lets you zoom and reposition the display by simply dragging with the mouse. Zoom factors of several million are possible.

Each captured waveform is stored in a segmented buffer so you can rewind and review up to 10,000 previous waveforms. No longer will you see a glitch on the screen only for it to vanish before you stop the scope. A mask can be applied to hide waveforms that are not of interest.

Advanced triggersAs well as the standard range of triggers found on all oscilloscopes, the PicoScope 5000 Series offers an industry-leading set of advanced triggers including pulse width, windowed and dropout triggers to help you capture the data you need.

Arbitrary waveform and function generator All units have a built-in function generator (sine, square, triangle, DC level). As well as basic controls to set level, offset and frequency, more advanced controls allow you to sweep over a range of frequencies. Combined with the spectrum peak hold option this makes a powerful tool for testing amplifier and filter responses.

The PicoScope 5000 Series B models include additional built-in waveforms as well as an arbitrary waveform generator. Waveforms can be created or edited using the built-in AWG editor, imported from oscilloscope traces, or loaded from a spreadsheet.